Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote Meeting using Microsoft Teams

Contact: Democratic Services  01530 454512

Media

Items
No. Item

29.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor E Allman.

 

30.

Declaration of Interests

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

Minutes:

Councillor M B Wyatt declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 6, 2020/21 Quarter 3 Performance report as a Coalville Town business owner.

 

 

31.

Public Question and Answer Session

To receive questions from members of the public under rule no.10 of the Council Procedure Rules. The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask any question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the District, provided that three clear days’ notice in writing has been given to the Head of Legal and Support Services.

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 

32.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 226 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2021.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2021.

 

It was moved by Councillor N Smith, seconded by Councillor J Hoult and by affirmation of the meeting

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2021 be approved as a correct record.

 

 

33.

Items for Inclusion in the Future Work Programme pdf icon PDF 673 KB

-     Report of the Strategic Director

 

-     To consider any items to be included in the work programme. The plan of forthcoming Cabinet decisions and the current work programme are attached for information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Strategic Director presented the report to Members.

 

Members welcomed the initiative to not bring reports to committee for noting but felt that some caution was necessary as this was a good way for Members to receive information.  Members were happy to receive information by other means but asked that officers write reports in a way to allow discussion on a topic rather than for noting purposes.

 

Positive comments were received in relation to the action plan of the Scrutiny Cross Party Working Group and Members were keen to follow up the suggestion to visit another authority to observe scrutiny proceedings, albeit virtually at the moment. 

 

A Member suggested that an item be placed on the work programme to review the terms and reference of the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party to allow Members of the group to have more say on what happens in  the special expenses area.  The Head of Legal and Commercial Services advised that as the group was a sub-group of Cabinet, any review would need to be considered through Cabinet rather than Scrutiny.  Officers were happy to look into the matter outside of the meeting and discuss with the Member concerned.

 

During discussion of item 6 on the agenda, it was agreed to place an item on the work programme in relation to the work undertaken to date by the Community Hub in supporting the Community during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

 

At the end of the meeting, a suggestion was made for a future topic item in relation to Section 106 agreements, how the money was being used and how often developers were claiming the money back.

 

It was moved by Councillor R Johnson, seconded by Councillor N Smith and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

1)     The Action plan of the Scrutiny Cross Party Working Group be noted.

 

2)     The proposed resource solution, as set out in paragraph 4.3, be supported.

 

3)     The proposed scrutiny principles. as set out in paragraph 5.1, be supported.

 

4)     The process for annual reporting, as set out in paragraph 6.2, be supported.

 

5)     An item in relation to the work undertaken by the Community Hub be placed on the work programme.

 

 

34.

2020/21 Quarter 3 Performance Reports pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Develpment

Minutes:

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development presented the report to Members.

 

A full discussion was had with answers provided to several questions seeking  clarity within the different service areas and overall Members were happy with the performance.

 

Some questions were raised in relation to the budgetary element of the leisure centre project and preference was given to receiving more regular updates.  One Member suggested that considering the amount of money involved in the project, a task and finish group would be beneficial to see the finances in more detail.  The Head of Community Services assured Members that the project is in full accordance with decisions made by Cabinet and Full Council in respect of the budget envelope and the facility mix which is fixed. The project is being rolled out in accordance with the planning consent issued and there is a contract in place with the fixed price and design with the contractor with all risks fully transferred to the contractor. He added that management received regular budgetary and programme updates and that the project was in fact ahead of programme. He also referred members to the council’s website which contained regular progress updates on a dedicated project page which members were welcome to access..  He was happy to provide regular project updates to members on progress through the Member’s Bulletin.

 

At the request of a Member, some broad information was given on the work of the Community Hub which had been providing support to the community throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Officers offered to bring an item to the next meeting providing more information in relation to the Community Hub, Members agreed.

 

A concern was raised in relation to the process involved in applying to hold events in Coalville, as some residents had complained there was too many obstacles in place.  Officers were requested to look into the current process, as more events in the town would be beneficial and if being held by local people, there would be no cost to the council. 

 

During a discussion on the possible use of electric vehicles for taxis within the District in the future, a Member pointed out that there were a number of grants available to assist taxi drivers with electric vehicle costs and suggested this be investigated further.  The Head of Community Services reported that work was currently being undertaken to reduce the amount of emissions from taxi vehicles, which would be implemented in stages.  He assured Members that officers would investigate the grant options available as suggested. 

 

It was moved by Councillor J Hoult, seconded by Councillor G Hoult and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

1)     The report be noted.

 

2)     Comments made by the committee be provided to Cabinet when it considers the report.